Centrifugal ore-concentrator



(No Model.)

A. D. CLARKE.

2 Sheets--Sheet l CENTRIFUGAL ORE GONUENTRATOR.

Patented Nov. 29,1881.

5m A. n

V UNITED STATES PATENT @FEIQE.

ALEXANDER D. CLARKE, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

CENTRIFUGAL ORE-CONCENTRATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 250,056, dated November29, 1881.

Application filed September 24, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER D. CLARKE, of Omaha, Douglas county, Stateof Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCentrifugal Ore-Concentrators, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention, which relates to centrifugal ore-concentrators, consistsin the novel construction of such concentrators hereinafter set forth.The apparatus is intended more especially for use in connection withamalgamating devices, such as are shown in a previous application filedby me on the 19th day of July, A. D. 1881; but it may be used withalmost any description of amalgamator.

The annexed drawings, forming part of this description, show at Figure la central vertical section of my invention, and at Figs. 2 and 3 a planand edge view, respectively, of one of the centrifugalconcentrating-wheels.

Referring to said drawings, A represents the shaft whereon thecentrifugal concentratingwheels are mounted and whereby they arerotated. The upper wheel, B, receives the ore or mineral carrying earthor sand from above, and by means ofits rotation, aided by the radialprojections I) upon its surface, itthrows the same upon the stationarysurrounding inclined amalgam-plates (J, resting upon the shell 0, whichin turn is supported by the exterior shell, D. Said inner shell, 0, hasa gutter, c, at its inner lower edge, which collects mercurynototherwise saved. The lighter and unamalgamated particles of earth orore will, by reason of the centrifugal force given them, ride over theplates 6 into the annular space at between the shells G and D, andfollowing the surface of the latter downward fall from thence at thecenter into the next concentrating-wheel below. This secondconcentrating-wheel, E, in addition to like projections, b, is providedwith a dished covering, E, extending from the periphery inward towardbut not to the center, leaving the inner ends of said projections 11exposed, so that the material falling from the upper wheel is readilytaken hold of and scattered by said projections. Upon this dishedcovering-plate are two concentric conic frustums, e 0, one within theother, so that a passage or annular opening, 0, is formed between them.Into this passage 0 the-accumulations of the gutter c in the uppershell, 0, are conducted by the pipe 0, and from it they are driven intoconcentric collecting -tubes F, mounted upon the wheel E, and providedeach with an opening from said passage. These tubes are closed at oneend, and the other end fits upon short connecting-tubes f, (indicated bythe dotted lines in Fig. 2,) and extending through the wall of thepassage 0. To render the tubes removable they are secured by keepers fand bolts, as shown, or in some equivalent way. The rotation of thewheel tends to force all the drippings received in the passage throughthe short pipes f into the collectors F. In order that the wheel may bebalanced, I prefer to use three or more of these tubes. Said lower wheelis also surrounded by like plates, 0, supported bya like shell, 0, whichin turn rests upon a like outer shell, D, and there is a like channel,m, between said shells. The action of this wheel is, so far as such ofthe material as falls upon its center is concerned, similar to the firstwheel. A spout, G, leads the finer particles from the outer shell intoany proper receptacle, and a suitable pipe may also lead from the gutterof the lower shell, 0, if it is found that any considerable amount ofmercury collects there.

J represents the supports by which the surrounding casings are upheld.

Very perfect results will attend the use of the two concentrators shown;but more may be employed, if des red;

I claim 1. The combination of two or more centrifugal concentrators, oneor more of which are provided with mercury collecting devices bornethereon, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, with a centrifugal concentrator, of thecollecting'tubes carried thereon, substantially as specified.

The combination of the upper centrifugal concentrator, the surroundinginclined plates,

the gutter at the foot of said plates, the con- 5 ductor for conductingthe mercury deposits to the lower concentrator, and said lowerconcentrator having the annular passages and collecting-tubes openingfrom said passage, sub stantially as set forth.

IOO

4. The combination of an upper concentracury-collecting devices mountedupon it and tor, supplied with an inner surrounding 1nhke inclinedsurrounding surfaces, substanclined surface for collecting the mercurydetially as specified.

posits, and provided with a pipe for conduct- ALEXANDER I). CLARKE. 5ing such deposits to the lower concentrator, Witnesses:

and. an outer inclined surface, open at the cen- ANDREW S. VAN KURAN,

ter, and said lower concentrator having mer- GEO. WV. HALL.

